Heavy metals identification and exposure at workplace environment its extent of accumulation in blood of iron and steel recycling foundry workers of Lahore, Pakistan

The determination of heavy metals in blood is an important occupational environmental toxicology screening procedure. The aim of study was to determine the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni in blood samples of iron and steel foundry workplace exposed workers under routine clinical laboratory conditions. The method was employed for the quantitative determination of lead, cadmium, chromium and nickel in workplace environment particulate matter blood samples from iron and steel foundry workers and in unexposed controls. The results indicate that lead, chromium and nickel levels of the exposed workers are significantly higher those of the controls. Nickel Concentration [fig/L] in high P value=0.0306 and Chromium Concentration [microg/L] in P value=0.0295in worker population as compared to controls. Lead showed highest Absorption concentration in serum from particulate matter to Serum 47.3[microg/L]. Absorption concentration of nickel in serum 16.5[microg/L] was lower than lead observed in worker's population. Absorption concentration of cadmium and chromium in serum from particulate matter -152[microg/L] observed very low. The results also show the need for immediate improvements in workplace ventilation and industrial hygiene practices

Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among selected medical and non-medical students of Peshawar, Pakistan

Introduction: Self-medication is a part of self-care and is a primary source of public health in a health care system. In Pakistan it is a common practice as a majority of population is underprivileged, economically unstable and medicines are freely available as and when desired. Self-medication is intended for quick relief in common illnesses with a resultant benefit of economy, convenience and saving on time. However, self-medication should not be taken lightly as it involves serious health risks

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from June-August 2014 based on convenience sampling of 200 undergraduate medical and non-medical students from Rehman Medical College and University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, respectively. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which were analyzed using SPSS v. 22. Comparisons were done using Chi Square test, keeping p= 0.05

Results: 185 students participated [age 22.5 +/- 2.6 years; Male: Female ratio 2.36:1] in the study. The practice of self-medication among students was 93% [n=172] of which 92 were medical students and 80 were non-medical students. "Previous experience with similar symptoms" [50.8%] and "convenience" [27.6%] were common factors for self-medication. The commonest indications for self-medication were "cough/sore throat" [61.1%], "runny nose/nasal congestion" [56.8%] and "fever" [56.29%]. Analgesics [71.4%], antibiotics [62.2%] and anti-allergic [48.1%] drugs were the most common types of self-medication used. Selection of medicine was based on "friends and family's opinion" [40%] and "previous experience" [34.1%]. Participants showed positive attitude towards self-medication; however 32.4% considered it as not an acceptable practice. There was no significant difference between self-medication practice between medical and non-medical students [p=0.34]

Conclusion: Only justifiable rationale for self-medication would be 'urgency of the problem' but amongst our participants this was not the most popular reason. Students of health profession are under the influence of self-medication at the same rate as that of non-health profession. To prevent the growing trend of self-medication, strong policies should be applied prohibiting the supply of medicines and promoting education regarding the implications of self-medication

role of Punjab rural support programme in providing health facilities to rural women; a case study of district Faisalabad

Despite the fact that women account for more than half of the total world population, they are still not considered equal to men. The health of rural women in Pakistan is very poor because of the lack of health services and competent health workers. Besides government health centres, hospitals and many Non-Governmental Organizations [NGOs] are also working in the rural areas for providing social services to rural women. Punjab Rural Support Programme is also working for socio-economic empowerment of rural women. PRSP began to provide health facilities to the poor people in villages through Basic Health Units [BHUs]. To analyze the role of PRSP in providing health facilities to women in rural area. A multistage simple random sampling technique was used for the study. District Faisalabad. The population for the study consisted of rural women only who were members of the Community Organizations [COs] of PRSP. Out of the eight towns of district Faisalabad, four towns which cover rural areas [Samundri, Iqbal town, Jaranwala, and Chak Jhumra] were selected. Four field units of PRSP are working in these four towns i.e. Salarwala in Chak Jhumra, Satiana in Jaranwala, Khidarwala in Samundri, and Dijkot in Iqbal Town. These field units had 214, 203, 170 and 238 female COs, respectively. A sample of 10% COs was selected from each field unit randomly. Thus the total selected COs were 82. Five members from each CO were selected at random. In this way the total sample size for the study was 410 respondents. A reliable and validated data collection instrument consisting of open and close ended questions was used. The data were analyzed using SPSS. It was concluded that respondents were satisfied with certain facilities like availability of female doctors in BHUs, availability of medicines and availability of competent and qualified paramedics. Provision of basic tests [blood, sugar, pregnancy and haemoglobin etc.] was very weak area which needed much improvement. It was also concluded that respondents were satisfied with the behaviour of staff at BHUs. However, provision of basic medical equipment needed attention from the authorities

Knowledge, attitude and practice for breast cancer risk factors and screening modalities in staff nurses of ayub teaching hospital abbottabad

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer modality in female worldwide. Avoiding the risk factors can reduce its incidence and adhering to screening and early detection can reduce its mortality. A sufficient knowledge regarding the risk factors and screening modalities is therefore essential. We assessed the knowledge level about these parameters in our staff nurses. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was performed. Knowledge regarding the risk factors and screening modalities were categorised into good, fair, poor and very poor categories. Results: Knowledge regarding most of the factors was found to be fair. A few things were termed as good knowledge like role of breast-feeding in protecting against breast cancer. Practice regarding the screening modalities was not satisfactory. Only a few nurses had good knowledge of the risk factors and screening modalities. Practice of the Screening modalities was also poor. Conclusion: There is a need to improve the nursing curriculum, training at the workplace and motivate them for screening practices. They should be encouraged to talk to their patients and their female attendants about prevention and early detection of breast cancer. Keywords: Breast cancer, BSE, knowledge